On Public Office: The Malaysian Judge misjudges

Definition of Public Office Is Who Appoints And Who Pays! High Court judge Abu Bakar Jais (pic above) in his controversial ruling yesterday that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is not a public official or public officer has detailed his grounds for the judgment in his 31-page decision. Justice Abu Bakar said Najib’s lawyers argued that in initiating the suit, former UMNO leaders Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Khairuddin Abu Hassan and Anina Saadudin must first prove the offices that Najib occupies – as Prime Minister, Finance Minister, BN chairperson and UMNO President – are all public offices. “The defendant maintained he is not a public officer and therefore cannot be liable for the tort of misfeasance in public office,” the judge said in throwing out the suit. Najib, he noted, also contended there is no fiduciary duty owed by him as PM, Finance Minister, BN chairperson and UMNO ...